Happy Halloween

All the fun started for us on Thursday night when we finally were able to make the Jack-O-Lanterns. It was a lot less work for us this year because Santi and Evan knew exactly what they wanted. They drew their designs on paper first, then went to the store to pick out the best pumpkins for their drawings - taking into account size, shape, and overall appearance. You should have seen Evan literally climbing through the bins at the store checking every pumpkin until he found one that was just right. Back out home they helped mom and dad clean them out and transferred their designs onto the pumpkins. All we had to do was cut them out.

Friday morning Evan was up by 6:00am ready to start the day. He was in his costume by 9:00 and talked us into surprising Santiago by being all dressed up when he got home from school. Colin and Gabe shared some Halloween cupcakes with us before going to their house to get ready.

Just like last year our kids were the first to hit the streets in our neighborhood. It didn't take them long to figure out what doors to knock. They made short work of our little subdivision and made almost no complaints. Every once in a while their pumpkins got to heavy/full so we just emptied them in a bag and kept on going. When we had cleaned out our neighborhood we loaded up in the car and headed over to Katie's. The 5 minute drive was all the boys needed to catch their second wind. Evan decided to make trick or treating even more fun by trying to surprise whoever opened the door at each house. He would ring the bell, hide off to one side, and when it opened jump out and yell "Surprise, Trick or Treat" at the top of his lungs. At the second house where he employed that technique the man was so impressed that he gave Evan extra candy for his enthusiasm. That was all the encouragement he needed to adopt it as his permanent technique. Both of them were literally running back to us after each house.

Finally, after about 3 hours of fun we made our way over to Katie's house where they spent so time with their cousins and compared their hauls and made a good dent in their candy. Liam was his usual perfect self all night long. The only time he complained was in the car. Other than that he just sat in the stroller watching the festivities and planning for next year. He did occasionally let out a fierce growl, perfect for his lion costume.

Saturday morning Santi and Evan were up bright and early once again. After a hearty breakfast of Kit Kats, tootsie rolls and lollipops we headed out for the final soccer game of the season. For the first time all season Evan played the entire game and never complained about being tired or asked what the post-game snack was. Do you think that had something to do with their sugar laden breakfast. After the game was the team party complete with pizza, chips, soda pop and cake. Just what we needed!

Thanks Granny, the costumes you make are the most cherished. This is the third year in a row they chose to wear the bat costume. Start thinking of how to make a size 7 Optimus Prime costume for next year!